Let’s call a spade a spade, shall we? The 2017-18 Memphis Grizzlies were an atrocious basketball team. Mike Conley suffered an injury pretty early on, and this team seemed to completely lose its mojo. It was so bad at one point, that the running joke on Grizzlies social media was that the team was obviously in full-on tank mode. You wonder how veterans like Marc Gasol handle a season like that.
Well, according to many, he forced the decision-makers in Memphis to fire David Fizdale. Now, Gasol has recently opened up and shared some of his thoughts on that sentiment.
Many fans criticized the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year, throughout the season, claiming that he pressured Memphis’ front-office to fire head coach David Fizdale. As Gasol says, the team believes that he (Gasol) is part of the solution and not the problem: “My conflict is between my desire to win and my loyalty to Memphis. Memphis believes that I am part of the solution, not the problem. It was part of a learning experience. When looking for a change, you need to find the cause. It occurred in a way that maybe was not the desired one. Thinking about it now, I would have acted differently, but I remain calm. In the end, a business of so many millions of dollars is not decided by one player. The relationship between a player and a coach was not the best in the world… you are right”, he said.
“We came to losing eight games in a row. They fired him after a game in which I didn’t play in the last quarter. I ended with a sensation that I didn’t like and that I wanted to turn it over. Obviously, they focus on you. But it is a situation that you have to live and stay calm with. I wasn’t playing at a good level either. I was saying to myself, ‘Damn, I cant go through this.’ That was what worried me the most, above public opinion.”
LeBron James, who was also coached by David Fizdale, criticized Marc Gasol, but according to Gasol, the two have talked. “I talked with LeBron. He has also been criticized for the same reason. There are many newspapers to fill. Fizdale is a recognized coach, and he has a lot of attention from the media. I should have solved my relationship with him before, but I don’t blame myself for his firing. My consciousness is clean.”
Really interesting interview altogether, but that bit in particular stood out to me. That’s Gasol basically saying, “yeah – I should’ve been better, but no, I did not get the man fired.”
He sleeps with a clear conscience there. But, above all else, it’s not the stuff about Fizdale that gets me. It’s this quote: “My conflict is between my desire to win and my loyalty to Memphis.”
We’re talking about a dude who was once the best defensive player in the game, and has built his entire legacy in Memphis.
The trade rumors have been going on for awhile now, so that’s nothing new. But, Gasol only has two more years in Memphis before his contract’s up. You certainly wouldn’t blame the guy for wanting to win a championship after playing at a high level for 10 years now.
But, as he pointed out, the Grizzlies believe he’s part of the solution. And, it’s not like Memphis is completely devoid of talent.
Sure, Chandler Parsons has been a relative bust and that contract is weighing down their payroll, but a turnaround starts with getting a healthy Conley back. They drafted Jaren Jackson, Jr. and Jevon Carter, two guys known for being solid defensive players, and they signed Kyle Anderson to a big deal.
It’s a clear sign that this team wants to get back to the “grit and grind” that had them competing in the West years ago. But, if they don’t get back there soon, Gasol may be a goner. And, who’s to say it wouldn’t have been in Gasol’s best interest to skip town earlier in his career?
Interesting stuff here – this guy could end up as one of the greatest “what ifs” of his generation.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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